Copyright: 2010 Geo. J. Foster Co.
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/mYsCsdPU
Website: http://www.fosters.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/160
Author: Geoff Cunningham Jr.
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/topic/Dispensaries
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

ELIOT VOTERS SHOOT DOWN MORATORIUM ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

ELIOT, Maine -- Organizers behind a nonprofit entity looking to grow
and dispense medical marijuana out of a locally based clinic cleared
a substantial hurdle Saturday when town meeting voters shot down a
proposed moratorium that would have allowed elected Eliot officials
more time to study the issue before permitting such activities
within the town.

Substantial debate over the topic preceded a simple hand vote that
saw the proposed moratorium failing to pass muster, with some voters
saying they didn't want to support a temporary ban that seemed too
open-ended, with one resident arguing it would let selectmen study
the issue "in perpetuity."

About 100 Town Meeting voters gathered at Marshwood Middle School on
Saturday to vote on 40-plus warrant articles dealing with everything
from proposed zoning ordinance changes to budgetary items for the
2010-2011 fiscal year.

Among the most heavily debated and discussed item on the warrant was
the proposed moratorium, which represented a reaction to "inquiries"
on the part of those looking to establish a medical marijuana
dispensary in Eliot.

The proposed moratorium article noted the Maine Department of Health
and Human Services has indicated it plans to approve a medical
marijuana dispensary in York County by July 9 as part of a Maine
Medical Marijuana Act passed in November of 2009.

Maine DHHS data indicates a nonprofit dispensary operator will be
allowed to open up such facilities in eight districts in Maine.

Eliot officials proposed a moratorium to allow for more time for
municipal leaders to establish regulations and determine the
potential impacts of having such a facility in the community.

It stated: "The Town anticipates that such a study and review and
development of regulation will take at least six months from the
effective date of this Moratorium."

The approval of such a ban would have been a blow to the "Green
ReliefMD" organization, which is eyeing a Route 236 property as a
possible location for a dispensary clinic it hopes the Maine DHHS
will approve.

Green Relief Executive Director Ron Fousek said his organization has
been searching for a place to locate a dispensary in the York County
district with the deadline for their DHHS application rapidly
approaching at the end of the month.

Fousek said towns like Sanford, Kittery, Biddeford, North Berwick
and York already have approved moratoriums preventing them from
being viable locations in the upcoming application process.

GreenRelief is made up of a number of practitioners who will be
looking to grow medical marijuana in a secure indoor facility and
allow those with appropriate prescriptions to come pick it up.
Fousek said his organization would hand out the medical marijuana
to those with proper prescription cards with the recipients
receiving a "trip ticket" that allows them to legally take it from
the facility to their homes.

Fousek addressed Eliot voters on Saturday, arguing the medicinal
benefits of the drug for those suffering with chronic illness.

He balked at talked that the introduction of such a facility would
lead to increased crime, noting hundreds of studies have proven it
as an effective drug for the treatment of everything from chronic
illness to addictions to more serious drugs.

"More is known about this plant than any other in the world," Fousek said.

Eric Friberg -- another practitioner from GreenRelief and Gulf War
veteran who has used marijuana for medical purposes -- noted the
dispensary will not be a place were drugs are dealt to anyone who
wants marijuana.

"We are going to be heavily regulated ... give us a chance," Friberg said.

Brian Enger -- another practitioner -- told the voters they have
little to worry about.

"We are not here to be pot dealers," Enger said.

Some Eliot residents expressed concerns that Maine laws regulating
dispensary operators allow for a 24-hour window before they come in
and check that they are operating correctly and growing within the
set guidelines spelled out by the law.

"I'm very concerned about the public safety aspects," said State
Rep. Sarah "Sally" Lewin of Eliot.

Eliot Police Chief Theodor Short didn't express any overarching
concerns about such a facility coming to town, but did note his
department is looking at how other communities have handled such facilities.

He said it isn't for his department to decide whether a moratorium was needed.

Others expressed support for such clinics.

Janice Cerabona -- a local voter -- was nearly in tears when she
recalled her daughter's pain as she struggled with diabetes
complications that took her life in 2005.

"Conventional medicine could not help her," Cerabona said.

Others opposed the proposed moratorium simply because its wording
didn't prescribe a set amount of time for the town leaders to review
the issue.

Budget Committee Chair John Reed said the proposed moratorium
appeared to amount to a "not in my backyard" response to Maine's
approval of such dispensaries.

He said the moratorium as proposed would allow the study to take
place of an "infinite" amount of time.

Residents eventually voted against the moratorium.

Fousek said the vote will let his organization at least apply to
open a dispensary in Eliot.

He said the group is looking to open their clinic in a building on a
property near the junction of routes 236 and 101.